Urban Expansion in Major Grain Producing Area from 1978 to 2017:A Case Study of Zhengzhou Metropolitan Area,China

The spatial form of urbanization in China has developed from single-core city expansion to a multi-center metropolitan area.However,little attention has been paid to the growth process of the emerging metropolitan area situated in major grain producing locations in the central China.Taking the Zhengzhou metropolitan area(ZZMA)as a case study,we developed an inverse S-shape model to characterize the spatial distribution of urban land density,and constructed an urban expansion core index,urban expansion intensity index,and urban compactness index to quantify the spatial structure change that has taken place from 1978 to 2017 during the process of urban expansion.Moreover,cropland contribution rate(CR)was constructed to evaluate the impacts of urban expansion on croplands.We uncovered four key findings.First,over the past 40 yr,the ZZMA has experienced dramatic expansion,and the central city of Zhengzhou expanded faster than other cities.The gravity centers of urban expansion of surrounding cities were moving toward to Zhengzhou City.Second,the urban land density decreased with the distance from the city center to the outskirts.As the only large city,Zhengzhou has experienced the fastest and most compact centralized urban expansion,especially after 2000,while other medium-and small-sized cities have experienced low-intensity decentralized expansion.Third,the urban core has been gradually expanding outward.From 1978 to 2017,the hot-zone of urban growth has moved progressively with the acceleration of urbanization.All cities except Jiaozuo had a single peak in different periods.Forth,the cities in national core grain-producing areas has higher cropland contribution rates and lower urban expansion areas,which was closely related to cropland protection.Further analysis showed that large city was relatively better positioned than smaller cities in the efficiency of their urban infrastructure and the effectiveness of wealth creation efficiency in the urbanized area could be tested in all cities,and the policy factor seemed to play an important role in the urban expansion process.

Do farmers care about climate change? Evidence from five major grain producing areas of China

Using a logistic model,this paper empirically investigated farmers’perception of climate change and its determinants based on a field survey of 1 350 rural households across five major grain producing provinces in China.The results show:i)There is an apparent difference in perception levels for long-term temperature and precipitation changes.Specifically,57.4%of farmers perceived the long-term temperature change correctly,but only 29.7%of farmers perceived the long-term precipitation change correctly;ii)The factors influencing the farmers’perceptions are almost completely different between precipitation and temperature,the former are mostly agriculture related,while latter are mostly non-agriculture related,except for farm size;and iii)Farmers are not expected to pay more attention to long-term precipitation changes over the crop growing seasons,because less than 30%of farmers can correctly perceive long-term precipitation change.Therefore,to improve the accuracy of farmers’perceptions of climate change,the government is recommended to:i)enhance education and training programs;ii)speed up land transfer and expand household land farm size;iii)develop farmer cooperative organizations;iv)invest more in agricultural infrastructure,specifically in major grain producing regions;and v)improve the agricultural environment and increase farming income.

miR-122-5p as a novel biomarker for alpha-fetoproteinproducing gastric cancer

AIM To investigate the clinical utility of alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)-producing gastric cancer(AFPGC)-specific microRNA(mi RNA)for monitoring and prognostic prediction of patients.METHODS We performed a comprehensive miRNA array-based approach to compare miRNA expression levels between AFP-positive and AFP-negative cells in three patients with primary AFPGC.We next examined the expression levels of the selected miRNAs in five AFPGC and ten non-AFPGC tissue samples by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to validate their utility.We also investigated the expression levels of the selected miRNA not only in tissue but also in plasma samples.Moreover,we investigated the relationship between plasma AFP levels and plasma selected miRNA expression levels,and also investigated the correlation of the selected miRNA expression levels and malignant potential.RESULTS Among the five miRNAs selected from the miRNA array results,the expression levels of miR-122-5p were significantly higher in the AFPGC patients than in the non-AFPGC patients(P<0.05).In tissue samples,mi R-122-5p expression level tended to be lower in the non-AFPGC tissue than the normal gastric mucosa.Conversely,in the AFPGC tissue,miR-122-5p expression level was significantly higher in the AFPGC tissue than both the normal gastric mucosa and the nonAFPGC tissue samples(P<0.05).Plasma mi R-122-5p expression levels were also significantly higher in the AFPGC patients than the health volunteers and the nonAFPGC patients(P<0.05)and were strongly correlated with plasma AFP levels(r=0.7975,P<0.0001).Moreover,the correlation of miR-122-5p expression in tissue samples with malignant potential was stronger than that of plasma AFP level in the AFPGC patients.In contrast,no correlation was found between mi R-122-5p expression levels and liver metastasis in the non-AFPGC patients.CONCLUSION miR-122-5p might be a useful biomarker for early detection and disease monitoring in AFPGC.

Insulin producing cells established using non-integrated lentiviral vector harboring PDX1 gene

AIM: To investigate reprogramming of human adipose tissue derived stem cells into insulin producing cells using non-integrated lentivirus harboring PDX1 gene.METHODS: In this study, human adipose tissue derived stem cells(hADSCs) were obtained from abdominal adipose tissues by liposuction, selected by plastic adhesion, and characterized by flow cytometric analysis.Human ADSCs were differentiated into adipocytes and osteocytes using differentiating medium to confirm their multipotency. Non-integrated lentiviruses harboring PDX1(Non-integrated LV-PDX1) were constructed using specific plasmids(pLV-HELP, pMD2G, LV-105-PDX1-1).Then, hADSCs were transduced with non-integrated LVPDX1. After transduction, ADSCsPDX1+were cultured in high glucose DMEM medium supplement by B27, nicotinamide and βFGF for 21 d. Expressions of PDX1 andinsulin were detected at protein level by immunofluorescence analysis. Expressions of PDX1, neurogenin3(Ngn3), glucagon, glucose transporter2(Glut2) and somatostatin as specific marker genes were investigated at mRNA level by quantitative RT-PCR. Insulin secretion of hADSCsPDX1+in the high-glucose medium was detected by electrochemiluminescence test. Human ADSCsPDX1+were implanted into hyperglycemic rats.RESULTS: Human ADSCs exhibited their fibroblast-like morphology and made colonies after 7-10 d of culture.Determination of hADSCs identified by FACS analysis showed that hADSCs were positive for mesenchymal cell markers and negative for hematopoietic cell markers that guaranteed the lack of hematopoietic contamination. In vitro differentiation of hADSCs into osteocytes and adipocytes were detected by Alizarin red and Oil red O staining and confirmed their multilineage differentiation ability. Transduced hADSCs+PDX1became round and clusters in the differentiation medium. The appropriate expression of PDX1 and insulin proteins was confirmed using immunocytochemistry analysis.Significant expressions of PDX1, Ngn3, glucagon, Glut2and somatostatin were detected by quantitative RTPCR. hADSCsPDX1+revealed the glucose sensing ability by expressing Glut2 when they were cultured in the medium containing high glucose concentration. The insulin secretion of hADSCsPDX1+in the high glucose medium was 2.32 μU/mL. hADSCsPDX1+implantation into hyperglycemic rats cured it two days after injection by reducing blood glucose levels from 485 mg/dL to the normal level.CONCLUSION: Human ADSCs can differentiate into IPCs by non-integrated LV-PDX1 transduction and have the potential to be used as a resource in type 1 diabetes cell therapy.

Investigation and Green Prevention and Control Strategies of Pseudostellaria heterophylla Diseases in Genuine Producing Area in Zherong County

Zherong County of Fujian Province is a genuine producing area of Pseudostellaria heterophylla,and disease has become a main factor restricting the healthy development of P.heterophylla industry in the county.In order to scientifically understand the occurrence status of agricultural diseases and serve the GAP of P.heterophylla,P.heterophylla diseases in Zherong County were investigated,and the information and regularity of diseases were summarized.P.heterophylla diseases in Zherong County were infectious,and caused by fungi and viruses.The diseases occurred frequently in spring and summer,and symptoms were manifested in pathological changes of leaf and tuber.Eventually,green prevention and control strategies of diseases were put forward:cultivating new disease-resistant varieties,scientifically administrating drugs according to symptoms,administrating drugs in optimum period,strengthening biological control,strictly requiring drug safety period and paying attention to green prevention and control during the planting process.The occurrence of P.heterophylla diseases in Zherong County was investigated and summarized,and the corresponding strategies were put forward,so as to scientifically serve the agricultural industry in P.heterophylla genuine producing area,and to provide a basis for the sustainable development of modern pollution-free planting industry of P.heterophylla.

T4-like coliphage ΦKAZ14 virulent to pathogenic and extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli of poultry origin

Dear Editor,Bacteriophages(otherwise called phages)are a type of virus that infect bacteria.This viral type has found useful applications in the control of bacterial pathogens in foods and food processing environments.In addition,phages may be useful to prevent colonization and shedding of bacteria into the surrounding environment.

An isolate alpha-fetoprotein producing gastric cancer liver metastasis emerged in a patient previously affected by radiation induced liver disease

We report a case of an isolated hepatic neoplasia which originated in a site of the liver previously affected by radiation induced liver disease (RILD) in a patient resected for gastric cancer and referred to us for high serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. This case challenged us in distiguishing, even histologically, between primary liver cancer and AFP producing gastric cancer metastasis. Only a panel of immunohis-tochemical markers allowed the definitive diagnosis of liver metastasis of endodermal stem cell-derived and AFP producing gastric cancer. We discuss the criteria for a differential diagnosis, as well as the possible link between RILD and emergence of liver neoplasia.

Chemical Kinetic Aspects of Solid State Reaction Producing Wollastonite from Rice Husk Silica and Limestone

An industrial mineral wollastonite (CaSiO3) was produced under solid state conditions from rice husk silica and limestone. Reaction was carried out at 900’C to 1300’C for 1 h. The product batches were subjected to XRD and chemical analysis techniques specific for wollastonite. Mole fractions of different product batches were calculated on the basis of accumulated data to study the kinetics. Specific rate constants and reaction rate were also found out. Various probable models of mechanism for reaction were considered and testified with the laid down criterion for suggesting the suitable one. The resulting data were treated with Arrhenius equation as well and activation energy was calculated--therefrom. In addition to finding it’s value from the slope of Arrhenius curve, an alternate method was also applied for this purpose. Both of the values were observed to be comparable. The activation energy required for performed reaction was found to be almost one third of that reported for synthesizing CaSiO3 by using quartz. This referred to the economical preparation of wollastonite by using rice husk as a source of silica instead of quartz.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-producing hepatocellular carcinoma with abrupt changes

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF)-producing tumor is one of the rare types of cancer clinically characterized by an elevated fever and white blood cell(WBC) increment. Although G-CSF producing tumors have been reported in several types of cancer including those of the lungs, cervix and bladder, G-CSF producing hepatocellular carcinoma is extremely rare. Here, we report the case of a rapidly growing and poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma producing G-CSF. The patient showed symptoms of continuous high fever, stomach pain and cough, and high serum WBC counts, C-reactive protein(CRP) and G-CSF levels were found in laboratory tests. After a radical hepatectomy, the patient completely recovered from the above symptoms and inflammatory state. The serum levels of G-CSF were reduced to normal levels after radical surgery. An immunohistochemical analysis revealed the overexpression of G-CSF in the cytoplasm of certain hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) cell. The patient's serum WBC, CRP and G-CSF levels remained within normal levels in the six months after surgery without recurrence. This is the 9^(th) case report of G-CSF producing hepatocellular carcinoma in English literature. We review the clinical characteristics of the G-CSF producing HCC and discuss a possible treatment strategy.

GC-MS Analysis on Form and Content of Phytosterol in the Beans from Different Producing Areas

This paper established the GC-MS method to analyze phytosterol in beans and study the content and distribution of phytosterol in green beans,red beans,black beans and soybeans in 5 main producing areas of China(Inner Mongolia,Heilongjiang,Jilin,Hebei,Shandong).This paper used GC-MS method to analyze the content and distribution of campesterol,stigmasterol,sitostanol,brassicasterol,ergosterol,cycloartanol,cycloartenol,2,4-methylenecycloartanol,spinasterol,cholesterol and cholestanol in the beans from different producing areas.Results showed that the content of sterol in green beans was higher than in three other kinds of beans,and the content of sterol in red beans was the lowest.Different producing areas had a significant impact on the content of sterol in beans,and the dominant producing areas included Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang.The study provided a basis for quality assessment and nutritional evaluation of beans and provided a reference for traceability and variety distinction study of other edible beans.

Comparative Analysis of Sugar Production Cost in Guangxi and World Major Producing Countries

Guangxi is the largest sugar producing area in China and shoulders heavy responsibilities for the development of China’s sugar industry.In recent years,China’s sugar industry has been greatly impacted by the foreign low-cost sugar industry,and the planting area of sugarcane has been declining.The development foundation of the sugar industry is the sugarcane seed industry.Under the impact of foreign low-price sugar,China’s sugarcane industry is under greater pressure for development,and the sugarcane seed industry shoulders more arduous responsibilities.In order to cope with international competition,the development of Guangxi’s sugarcane industry urgently needs to establish a development model oriented towards improved varieties,scale and mechanization of sugarcane,so as to promote the high-quality development of Guangxi’s sugarcane industry and effectively respond to the pressure of competition in the international sugarcane industry.

GC-MS Analysis of Volatile Oils in Mango Leaves from Different Producing Areas

[Objectives]To analyze the composition of volatile oils from mango leaves from different producing areas.[Methods]The volatile oils in mango leaves from different areas was extracted by steam distillation,and the GC-MS method combined with retention index and peak area normalization method was used for qualitative and quantitative analysis.[Results]The volatile oils of mango leaves in southern provinces contained high content of terpenes,such asα-gurjunene(18.39%-34.13%),(+)-viridiflorene(8.95%-16.30%)and(E)-β-ocimene(3.49%-7.63%).The volatile oils components of mango leaves were significantly different in different provinces,for example,mango leaves produced in Hainan Province contained a large amount ofβ-selinene(23.00%),but not in other provinces.[Conclusions]The origin had a great influence on the composition and contents of volatile oils in mango leaves.

Quantum Chemical Studies on the Mechanism of Producing Oxygenates in Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis on M/SiO2(M = Ni,Ru,Rh,Pd)

EHMO calculations and orbital analyses of fragment;have been performed for the formation of oxygenates in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on the butterfly model for four different metal (Ni,Ru,Rh,Pd) catalysts supported on SiO2.Calculations were made for the four processes,i.e.,CO-dissociation;Coupling of CO and H to produce CHO;Insertion of CO to M-CH3;insertion of CH2 to M-CH3 On the basis of comparing the degree of CO bonds activation and the energy barriers of the foregoing processes for these four catalysts,it is concluded that Ni/SiO2 can be used as the methanation catalyst.On Ru/SiO2 and Rh/SiO2 C2-oxygenated compound can be produced (acetaldehyde),especially Rh/SiO2 is the even better catalyst,and Pd/SiO2 is a methanol synthesis catalyst.

Conditions for Producing and Maintaining Plasma Ball Lightning in the Atmosphere

Based on the results of plasma experiments and research work done by Dawson and Jones, Trubnikov, Endean, and other researchers, three requirements for producing and maintaining plasma ball lightning have been found: 1) rotation of plasma, 2) the density of charged particles nc 】 3.15 × 10-10ω2,3) a stable confinement of plasma. In this model, the energy density of ball lightning ranged from 10-2 J / cm3 to 104 J/ cm3, the formation, shape, stability, energy, maintaining processes and other properties of ball lightning were explained reasonably.

Sino-Japan Joint Venture for Producing High

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Analysis of the Production and Operation Status of Silkworm Eggs Producing Farms in China——Based on Questionnaire Survey to 136 Silkworm Eggs Producing Farms Nationwide

Through statistical analysis on questionnaire survey data from 136 silkworm eggs producing farms in China,it was concluded that most silkworm eggs producing farms had such problems as follows: old production facilities and poor production condition,heavy staff burden,weak scientific and technological support,small operation scale and heavy surplus production capacity; narrow silkworm eggs sale channels and stubborn regional segmentation,insufficient innovation and lack of technological support for diversified expansion. All these problems led to low labor productivity,low asset utilization rate and poor economic benefit in silkworm eggs producing farms in China. Except the provinces( regions) of Guangxi,Guangdong and Yunnan,the silkworm eggs producing farms in other provinces were generally at deficit condition. In the light of ownership,although silkworm eggs producing farms of different ownership systems were in the red,those of the private sector had the minimum deficit. Based on these findings,it is proposed to deepen system reformation of silkworm eggs producing farms,loosen control to price and circulation of silkworm eggs,implement large-scaled production and operation,speed up scientific and technological innovation,expand diversified development channels,and reinforce government support so as to increase production and operation benefits of silkworm eggs producing farms in China.

Technical Study on Extraction of Procyanidins in Lycium ruthenicum Murr. Using Sub-critical Fluid 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane( R134a)and Content Determination from Different Producing Areas

[Objectives] To study the optimal conditions for extracting procyanidins fromLycium ruthenicum Murr. with sub-critical fluid R134 a( 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane) in 1 L extraction kettle. [Methods]Taking the extraction rate of procyanidins as an indicator,the influence of pressure,temperature,and extraction time on extraction rate of procyanidins fromL. Ruthenicum Murr. was studied by single factor experimental methods and orthogonal array design. [Results]The order of factors affecting extraction rate of procyanidins was extraction temperature > extraction pressure > extraction time. The optimum extraction conditions were as follows: the extraction rate of procyanidins fromL. ruthenicum Murr. was the highest with extraction pressure of 1. 2 MPa,extraction temperature of 50℃ and extraction time of 90 min. The content of procyanidins in L. ruthenicum Murr. from different producing areas was determined by vanillin-HCl method under the optimal conditions. [Conclusions] The method has the advantages of easy operation,good selectivity,low extraction temperature and high extraction efficiency,which is suitable for extraction of procyanidins in L. ruthenicum Murr.

Technical Efficiency of Corn Production in Main Producing Region in China Based on DEA-Tobit

The Panel Data of corn production in 11 provinces are analyzed, such as Jilin, Heilongjiang, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Hubei and Sichuan. Based on the CRS, VRS and Malmquist exponential models of DEA, technical efficiency of corn production is measured in main producing region by DEA-Tobit. And its influencing factors are analyzed. Result shows that corn production in main producing areas is mainly scale inefficiency and is at the stage of decreasing returns to scale. Pure technical efficiency of corn production is effective in most main producing regions. Total Factor Productivity of corn production is improved in main producing regions, because the speed of technical progress is greater than the speed of efficiency reduction. In the years 1998-2008, corn production in main producing regions is rational in structure and is not affected by the natural disasters.

The significance of coal-derived gas in major gas producing countries

The core of coal-derived gas theory is that coal measure is the gas source, and the hydrocarbon generation of coal measure is dominated by gas and supplemented by oil, so discoveries in related basins are dominated by gas fields. Discovering and developing giant gas fields, especially those super giant gas fields with recoverable reserves more than 1×10^12 m^3, plays a key role in determining whether a country can be a major gas producing country with annual output over 500×10^8 m^3. The coal resource and coal-derived gas reserves are abundant and widespread in the world, and coal-derived gas makes a major contribution to the gas reserves and gas production in the world. By the end of 2017, 13 super giant coal-derived gas fields have been discovered in the world. The total initial recoverable reserves were 49.995 28×10^12 m^3, accounting for 25.8% of the total remaining recoverable reserves (193.5×10^12 m^3) in that year in the world. In 2017, there were 15 giant gas producing countries in the world, with a total gas yield of 28 567×10^8 m^3. Among them, six major coal-derived gas producing countries had a total gas yield of 11 369×10^8 m^3, accounting for 39.8% of total gas yield of major gas producing countries. The Urengoi gas field is a super giant coal-derived gas field with the most cumulative gas production in the world. By the end of 2015, the Urengoi gas field had cumulative gas production of 63 043.96×10^8 m^3, with the highest annual gas yield in the world. Its gas output was 3 300×10^8 m^3 in 1989, accounting for 41.4% and 15.7% of the gas output of Russia and the world, respectively. This study introduces the gas source rocks of the basins with super giant coal-derived gas fields in Russia, Turkmenistan, Netherlands, Mozambique and China, and their significances for these countries becoming giant gas producing countries in the world.